Switch-locking mechanism



ot. 1, 1929. C. M; COLBY mi.' 1,129,927 A swITcH LOCKING MEQHANISM Filed May 23, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1 /\f" In venian;

BJNIQM @h oc1. 1, 1929. c. M. CQLBY- ETAL 1,729,927

' swITcH LOCKING MEcHANIsM Filed .May 25,' 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ttornqy Inventor` CCL l, 1929 c. M. coLBY ET m.

v SWITCH LOCKING MECHANISM Filed May 23, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor.) f c'. M. cfa/J /Mfm/ ma. l

Attorny Patented Oct. 1, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLYDE M. GOLBY .A ND WILLIAM N. POTTS, 0F BRUSH, COLORADO SWITCH-LOCKING MECHANISM Application filed May 23, 1928.V Serial No. 279,965.

rail in the case of a broken bridle rod, brokenl switch rod, or in case the switch stand is destroyed or displaced, that would ordinarily allow the switch point `to be misplaced from rits correct position.

An important object of the invention is to provide a switch locking mechanism of the above mentioned character that. will at all times be positive and eflicient in `its operation, the same being, further, simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the nature of the invention proceeds and when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the switch locking mechanism embodying our invention, showing the same associated with the switch points and the switch stand.

Figure 2 is a sectional view, taken approximately on the line 2 2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure ,3 is a view showing the actuating means for the vertically sliding locking bolts.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view through the lock casing showing the hor1- Zontal locking bolts 1n an operative position,

the vertical bolts being shown in an inop-l erative position. l

p Figure 5 is a top plan view of the lockcasing, the top therefor being removed to show the mechanism withintlie Casingg Figure G is a f fragmentary detail view, showing the connection between the switch rod and the rotatable vertical shaft of the switch stand, and also the connecting means between the outer end of the outermost gear carrying shaft, and the rod that is operatively connected at its upper end to the swinging handle of the switch stand.

Figure 7 isa detail perspective view of the slidable bar that is associated with one of the switch points, and that is furthermore adapted ,for cooperation with the horizontal sliding locking bolt, and

Figure Sis a detail of the connection between the rod sections associated with the swinging handle of the switch stand.

1n the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of our invention, the numerals 1 and 2 respectively designate the rails of a 70 main line that are mounted on the usual cross ties 3.A The track is provided with the switch points l and4 5 respectively, which are connected together by means of the bridle bar 6, whereby said switch points are adapted to be moved as a unit toward and away fromthe rails 1 and 2, to effect the switching of a train, for example, from one track to another track in the manner well known in the art.

rThe switch points are operatively con- 30 nected to a switch stand, shown generally at 7. This switch stand is of the conventional construction, and includes the supporting frame 8 that is secured at its lower portion on one of the cross ties, and a horizontaler, plate 9 is mounted on the upper portion of the frame and is formed with the spaced notches 10, in its edge, as shown very clearly in Figure 1.

A vertical shaft 11 extends centrally in the so frame, the lower end of the shaft being journaled for rotation in a suitable bearing, while the upper end of the shaft extends through the plate 9 and has mounted thereon the usual signal member 12.

For the purpose of actuating the shaft 11, there is provided a bracket 13 secured on the v upper portion of the shaft above the plate 9 and pvotally secured at its inner or upper and' in this bracket is the handle 14h Y The vertically swinging handle 14 is adapted for disposition in either one of the notches 10, whereby the shaft 11 is locked against rotation, and when the handle 14 is swung upwardly :tor disposition in a horizontal plane, the shaft 11 can be actuated to eiect the operation of the switch points 4 and 5.

An arm 15 is lixedly secured at its inner end to the lower end portion ot the vertical shaft 11 and the outer end ot this arm is connected to the outer end of the switch rod 16, the inner end ot this switch rod being connected to the bridle bar 5, so that an operative connection is provieed between the switch points and the vertical shaft 11.

Our improved switch locking mechanism comprises a housing 17, located inwardly of the switch stand 7 and for cisposition between the adjacent pair et cross ties 3. Extending into the outer side of the housing is the inner end of the horizontal shaft 18, the outer end ot this shaft being disposed through a bracket 19 located adjacent the vertical shaft 11 oi' the switch stand 7. A laterally extending arm 2O is secured von the outer end of the shaft 18 and the outer end ot this arm is operatively connected to the vertically swinging handle by means of the sectional rod, designated generally by the numeral 21. 'lhis sectional rod comprises an elongated lower section 22 that is connected at its lower end through the outer end of the laterally extending arm 20.

The upper end of this section 22 is formed with a socket shown at 23, with reference more particularly to Figure 8, tor receiving the lower end of the curved upper section 24, the upper end of the upper section being connected to the pivoted end portion of the vertically swinging handle 14. lhe socket 23 is toi-ined in one side with a slot to accommodate a transversely extending pin 26, secured in the lower end noi-tion or the upper end section 24, whereby to permit a slight rotation ol the sections oi the rod during the swinging movement oi the handle. This connection between the handle 14 and the shai't 18 provides a means whereby said shaft will be actuated simultaneously with the operation ol' tle switch stand and the switch points associated therewith.

gear 27 is secured on the inner end yof this sha'lt 18 and is disposed withii'i the housing 17. The inner end of the sha'lt 18 projects beyond the inner side i'ace of the gear 11, for a purpose to be presently described.

Forming a salient part of the present invention is the lock casing 28 that is open at its top, a removable lid 29 being provided therefor. This casing is supported by the bracket 30 on the side of the cross tie 3, adjacent the outer side oi' the main rail 1, at the place where the switch point 4 cooperates with the rail. A tubular member 31 extends between the outer side of the lock casing 28 and the inner side ot the lower portion of the hous- A ing 17 and extending through this tubular member is the shaft 32. The outer end ot this shaft extends into the housing` 17, and carries on its outer end portion a gear 33, that has meshing enga-gement with the gear 27, secured on the inner end portion oit the shaft 18, in the manner as more clearly illustrated in Figure 3. The inner end ot this shaft eX- tends through the outer side ot the loch casing and has its inner end journaled in a suitable bearing 34, provided on the inner side wall of the lock casing as shown in Figure Also extendinf;` through the tubular member 31 is the rod 35, the outer end et the rod extending into the housing 17, and being 'formed with an upwardly directed arm 36 that has engagement with the inner end of the shaft 18, as indicated in Figure 3, as well as in Figure 2, for a purpose to be presently d scribed. This arm is held in engagement with the inner end ot the shaft, by a suitable coil sj jiring arranged within the housing 17.

The inner end oi the rod 35 projects into the loch casing 28 and is bent t-o form a trigger 37. This trigger cooperates with a collar or disc 38, secured on the lower end portion of a vertically sliding bolt 39 that eX- tends upwardly through the top of the lock easing, the lower end/extending through a 4guide bracket 40. An expansible coil spring 41 encircles the bolt 39 and is disposed between the t-op 29 and the collar or disc 38 tor normally urging the bolt downwardly as indicated in Figure 4.

its shown in Figure 4, the trigger 37 engages with the collar 38 to hold the bolt 39 in .its raised inoperative position. A spring 42 is connected at rone end to the trigger 37, the other end ot the spring being connected to the opposite end of the casing 28, to assist in maintaining the rod 35 in a proper position tor operation ot the trigger, as will be presently described in detail.

Arranged for slidable movement transversely across the shaft 32 in the lool; casing 28 is the horizontal locking bolt 43. rlhe inner end o'l' this bolt is slidable in suitable guide sleeve 44, formed on t-he end wall oi" the casing, while the :tree end of the bolt projects through the guide braclret 40 and through the adjacent side ot the lock casing for cooperation with a sliding locking bar 45, that is arranged for slidable movement between the bracket 30 and the adjacent side or end of the easing 28.

ln Figure 7 of the drawings, there is shown the specific construction oi this loching bar, and the same is formed with a lateral extension 46, at its inner end tor attael ment to the switch point 4 and the adjacentportion ot the bridle bar 6, the outer lateral extension being formedwith an attaching ear Cil 47. The bar 45 is formed with a pair of spaced bolt receiving openings 48 and 49 respectively, for cooperation with the free end of the horizontally sliding bolt 43. This bolt is formed with a notch or recess 50, in its upper portion with which cooperates the lower end of the vertically sliding bolt 39, and as heretofore explained, the trigger 37 normally holds the lower end of the bolt out of engagement with the notch or recess 50, as shown in Figure 4.

The actuating means for the sliding bolt 43, will now be described. A sleeve or collar 51 is rigidly secured on the inner end portion of the shaft 32, for disposition beneath the transverse bolt 43, and extending from -this collar are the spaced slotted arms 52, that are disposed on opposite sides of the bolt 43. A pin 53 extends transversely through the intermediate portion of the bolt 43, for disposition within the slots of the respective arms 52, and these arms are disposed at an incline and normally the rod or pin 53 is disposed in the lowermost ends of t-he slotted arms as shown in Figure 4.

The operation of our rimproved switch locking mechanism may be briefly stated as follows:

Then the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1, the switch points are shifted into position to open the main line and close the siding. The pivoted handle 14 is disposed in a downward position in engagement with one of the notches in the plate 9.

The sliding bolt 43 will be in engagement with the opening 49, formed in the locking bar 45. Swinging the handle 14 upwardly to a horizontal position, and turning the same to effect the actuation of the switch points 4 and 5, will result in a turning of the shaft 18 and the shaft 18 will in turn actuate the shaft 32, by reason of the gearing 27 and 33.

Simultaneously with the actuation of the shafts 18 and32, the arm 52 will be operated to retract the bolt 43 from engagement with the locking bar 45, so that said locking bar will be free to move with the switch points 4 and 5, when the shaft 11 is rotated, by the swinging of the handle 14. When the switch points have moved to the opposite side of the rails, and the handle 14 is disposed in the other notch in the plate, the locking bolt will again be positioned in an outwardly disposed manner, so that the same will engage with the opening 48 thus locking the switch points in their last mentioned set position.

Should an accident occur whereby the switch stand should be turned over, or otherwise disrupted, from its position,whereby the outer end of the shaft 18 is disengaged from the arm 36, and the springs associated with the rod 36 will act-nate the latter so that, the trigger 37 will be disengaged from the disc or collar 38 and the spring 41 will automatically move the bolt 39 downwardly so that the lower ends will engage with the notch 50 in the bolt 43, thereby securing the bolt positively inlocked engagement with the locking bar, so thatv the switch points will be secured in their adjusted positions against sliding movement.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description lthat we have provided a switch locking mechanism that will be positive and efficient in its operation and furthermore, the means for locking the horizontal locking bolt will be automatic in case of an accident occuring to the switch stand, and a provision of such mechanism will avoid serious accidents caused by the derailment of a train passing over the wrong rails.

A switch locking mechanism of the above mentioned character can be readily and easily installed and will not necessitate any material alterations of the parts of the track or switch stand with which the said mechanism isto be associated.

While we have shown the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts lmay be resorted to,

without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described v our invention, what we claim as new is:

1. The combination with spaced rails and switch points operating between the rails, and a switch stand operatively connected with the switch points, of a locking bar carried by the switch points for movement therewith, a lock casing, a horizontally sliding bolt arranged in the casing for engagement with the loclingbar, means operable by the switch stand for releasing the locking bar during the actuation of the switch points, and means for maintaining the sliding bolt in locked engagement with the bar, said last mentioned means con'iprising a vertically sliding bolt, the horizontal bolt being formed with a recess to receive the lower end of the vertically sliding bolt, means for normally holding the vertically sliding bolt in an inoperative position, and resilient means associated with the vertically sliding bolt to move the same to an operative position with respect to the horizontal bolt when said holding means is released.

2. The combination with spaced rails and switch points operating between the rails, and a switch stand operatively connected with theswitch points, of a locking bar-carried by the switch points for movement therewith, a lock casing, a horizontally sliding bolt arranged in the casing for engagement with the lockingy bar, means operable by the switch stand for releasing the locking bar during the actuation of the switch points, and means for maintaining the sliding bolt in locked engagement with the bar, said last mentioned means comprising a vertically sliding bolt, the horizontal bolt being formed with a recess to receive the lower end of the vertically sliding bolt, means for normally holding the vertically sliding bolt in an inoperative position, and resilient means associated with the vertically sliding bolt to move the same to an operative position with respect to the horizontal bolt when said holding means is released, said holding means including` a trigger, a collar carried by the bolt with which said trigger engages.

3. rli`he combination with spaced rails and switch points operating between the rails, and a switch stand for actuating the switch points, oit a locking bar carried by the switch peints 'for movement therewith, a lock casing, a horizontally disposed locking bolt extending through the casing lor cooperation with the locking bar, a shaft operable by the switch stand when the switch points are actuated, a sleeve secured onsaid shaft for disposition in the lock casing, a slotted arm eX tending laterally from the sleeve, and a pin extending transversely through the locking bolt for cooperation with the slotted arm lwhereby said locking bolt is disengaged from the locking bar simultaneously with the shifting of the switch points, and automatic means 'for locking the bolt tor engagement with the locking bar.

4. The combination with spaced rails and switch points operating between the rails, and a switch stand for actuating the switch points, of a locking bar carried by the switch points for movement therewith, a lock casing, a horizontally disposed locking bolt extending through the casing or cooperation with the locking bar, a shaft operable by the switch stand when the switch points are actuated, a sleeve secured on said shaft for disposition in the lock casing, a slotted arm extending laterally from the sleeve, and a pin extending transversely through the locking bolt -for cooperation with the slotted arm whereby said locking bolt is disengaged from the locking bar simultaneously with the shitting of the switch points, and automatic means for locking the bolt for engagement with the locking bar, said last mentioned means including a vertically sliding spring pressed bolt arranged in the lock casing, said horizontal bolt being formed with a recess, and trigger for normally holding the vertical bolt out of engagement with the recess in the horizontal bolt, said vertical bolt being moved to an operative position for engagement with the horizontal bolt when the trigger is released.

In testimony whereof we ami: our signatures.

CLYDE M. COLBY. WILLIAM N. POTTS. 

